Compacting apparatus including steady and vibratory force means

ABSTRACT

To improve the accuracy of manufacturing processes, and to prevent damage to equipment, the actual compaction pressure applied to a compaction piston subjected to vibratory and steady state forces is measured, and the actual pressure compared with a command pressure to derive an error signal controlling application of steady force pressure. Steady force pressure, and vibratory energy can be separately applied to a single piston, by guiding a vibrating piston rod in a sleeve, which sleeve is subjected to steady state pressure forces, the reaction pressure force of which is measured and utilized to control application of feed power to the sleeve.

[451 Sept. 23, 1975 United States Patent [191 Blaser et al.

20w499957 5fi454 6 343 444 55555555 27-7-2222-i 44444444 m mLM t. mmmm m.il-l .t t. mm e m w u wnmmm m KwBFCsHB 2 50 333 66677777 99999999HHHHHHHH 009226300 98 4554 09 03445 $6 2 ,42 03 07947 50 5 0 66 33 33333S cm Pl NE I In D m r E m6 m C n 2 R W m N SW :1 IF ZS h S n H UY me TRA0 .lm RT "m AA 6 A PR m0 1% B B I] f 0r v yo m r G ra nun mN "mm v wmuA V H mm P m n. A n g E e 9 OT m S CS 1 A l l. 4 5 3 5 7 7 l l l [22]Filed: July 19, 1973 imary ExaminerFrancis S. Husar AssistantExaminerJohn McQuade Appl. No.: 380,538

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-F1ynn & Frishauf ABSTRACT To improve theaccuracy of manufacturing processes, and to prevent damage to equipment,the actual compaction pressure applied to a compaction piston sub- [30]Data Switzer1and....................... Aug. 18, 1972 Switzerland......

Foreign Application Priority July 20, 1972 [52] US. Cl. 425/149;425/167; 425/353;

jected to vibratory and steady state forces is measured and the actualpressure compared with a command pressure to derive an error signalcontrolling application of steady force pressure. Steady force pressure,and vibratory energy can be separately applied to a single piston, byguiding a vibrating piston rod in 4 6 m, I 4 51L. a 2 485 4 O 28 2 4 l 3M 2 a 4 [51] Int. [58] Field of Search..................

a sleeve, which sleeve is subjected to steady state pressure forces, thereaction pressure force of which is measured and utilized to controlapplication of feed power to the sleeve.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 425/359 425/412 425/42l 18Claims, 5 Drawing Figures 784,154 Gutteridge et 1,602,598Stebbins............... 2,541,981 Babcock US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet3 of5 3,907,474

US Patent Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 5 of5 3,907,474

l I l W controlled.

COMPACTING? APPARATUS INCLUDING STEADY A NDVIBRATORY FORCE MEANS r'Cross reference to related Patent: US. Pat.. No. =-3,767-,35l; assignedto the Assignee of this invention.

'Thepresent invention relates to an apparatus for I manufacturingblocks-from.granulates, and particui larly electrodes inwhich-granulatesare mixed with a =-binder.- i \1 ,lthas previously been proposed to makeblocks, particularly block electrodes by mixing .granulates with abinder, charging thegmixture intoa compacting vessel or cylinder, andvibrating. the mixture, while applying pressure thereto, for example. byapplying pressure against a. top,:or bottom of the vessel. Block anodesmade in this manner are used, for example, in the aluminum industry. Inone type of apparatus, thebottom and the cover olla vessel are formed aspistons, the vessel itself, being a cylinder,-the pistons-beingconnected to piston drives which are capable of being moved both with afeed movement as well as with vibratory move- ,pacted and .controlled asa function of time. It may occur, however,--that someof the .parametersare not matched to eachother. For example, feed movement or amplitudemay be too great in relation to instantaneous degree of compaction ofthe granulate, thus re sulting in excessive, possibly dangerous loadingon the compacting device. It may also occur that the compactingoperation is not, carried out in its most ,efficient manner, forexample, with insufficient compacting pressure. Such compacting deviceswere. heretofore used only for blocks of rather shallow, thickness.

It is an objection of the present invention to provide an apparatusinwhich the application of the parameters applied to the apparatus canbeeffectively and readily SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PRESENT p INVENTIONBriefly, the compacting pressure applied to thegranulate is measured andcontrolled as a function of feed, or compaction time, respectively. Inaccordance with a feature of the invention, the apparatus to carry outthe method includes a pressure transducer which measures the pressureapplied to the piston drive of the compaction apparatus ,the transducerdelivering an output signal which controls the feed apparatus of thepiston drives fln accordance with a feature of the invention, ahydraulic motor is used as the feed drive to the piston,

which is connected by means of a mechanical drive with a piston formingthe bottom, or the top cover of the compaction cylinder (or both).

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a general schematic illustration of an apparatus in accordancewith the present invention, having a hydraulic feeddrive for the bottom,as well as for the top, of the compaction cylinders, and illustratingonly those parts absolutely necessary tocarry out the pro cess, and withwhich the process can beexplained; FIGS. 2 onsheets indicated as 241,.and 2b taken. to-

illustration, partly in longitudinal section, of an apparatus to compactgranulates; I

HO. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a drive for a pistonrod, orpistol spindle, without play; and

FIG: 415 a schematic illustration ofa compacting device with mechanicalfeed drive for the bottom, 'or cover of the compacting cylinder, partlyin block diagram, and illustrating only the essential elements of thesystem, and necessary for an understanding of the method.

Referring first to FIG. 1: a compacting apparatus 1 is shown as amulti-ele'ment apparatus including a cylinder 2, a bottom piston 3,andatop or cover piston 4. The bottom piston 3 can beraised towards thetop pisten. 4 by means of a-hydraulic feed drive 6. The top cover 4 isdriven by a'hydraulic feed drive 7. The feed drives 6, 7, are reversibleand can be moved towards and away from each other in synchronism, orindepengether,is a schematic representation, partly in block dently. Thedrives are secured to supports 8, 9 (shown only schematically), which inturn, are supported from a frame 10,11. t

The piston drives 6, 7'are moved by-hydraulic force,

controlled by electrical signal transducerslZ, which-.- operate aselectrical signal, hydraulic-force controllers,

to provide substantial amplification of the electrical control signal.The actual position ofthe pistons 6,7 is determined by meansoftransducers 14, 17, which measure displacement of the piston withrespect to a datum. Transducer 14 measures the movement of the bottompiston 3,- or the top cover 4, respectively; transducer l7-measures thedisplacement of the hydraulic elements, contained within the amplifiervalve 12. The measured displacement values, so obtained, are connectedover lines 30, 31 for the bottom, and 32,33 for .the top. cover tocomparators 34, 35 to be compared with a command value derived from acommand source 20 and applied over respective lines 36, 37'.Thedifference between actual value and commanded value then provides anerror signal which is applied to amplifiers 38, 40 (which have powersupplied by a powersupply necessary pumps, sumps, check valves, and thelike, as 7 well known in the hydraulic amplifier are, to supply pressurefluid, for example pressure oil through lines 50, 51 to valves 12 and totreat the return pressure fluid received over lines 52, 53. a I e Theprogram source 20 includes a plurality of stored program units 21 24.The operating parameters stored in the respective units areillustratedschematieally by diagrams. Unit 21 provides output signalsrepresentative of pressure to be supplied by the piston drive 6, 7, onpistons 3, 4; unit 22 controls the amplitude, unit 23 the frequency, andunit 24 the wave shape of commanded operating parameters which aretransduced by valves 12 into movement of the respective pistons 3, 4, toeffect compaction of the granulate within cylinder 2.

In accordance with a feature of the invention, the compaction pressure,that is, the compressiveforce exerted by the bottom and top pistons 3,4, is measured directly. The pressure transducer 25 is applied to thehydraulic portion of the piston drive 6, 7, as shown; the hydraulicfluid pressure applied to the piston 6, 7, is directly measured in thepressure transducers 25 and converted into an electrical signal. whichis transmitted over lines 27, 28, respectively to the comperators 34,35. The actual compacting pressure of the piston drive 6, 7, can thus becontrolled as a function of feed, and- /or compaction time,respectively. The signal derived from the pressure transducers 25 may besuitably processed by apparatus included in the comparators 34, 3 5, orapparatus included in the lines 27, 28, for example by averaging, or thelike.

Referring now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, collectively denominated as FIG. 2;two cylinders 2 are connected by means or a rigid interconnection 102. Apiston drive 103 is arranged to shift the cylinders 2 laterally. Thecylinder 2 shown at the right FIG. 2 is in the position for compaction,and forms, together with the bottom piston 3 and the top piston 4 thecompaction form or mold. During the time that compaction of granulate iseffected in the cylinder 2-at the right, the other cylinder is beneath acharging apparatus, generally shown at 107. The charging apparatusincludes a supply trough 108, a charging and measuring container 109, ascale 110, and a charge cover 112 operated by an operating device 111.The lower piston drive 113 places a bottom cover 114 against the bottomof the cylinder 2 being charged, to prevent. escape of granulate duringcharging, that is, when the closure mechanism ll2'is opened. Anintermediate table 115 prevents escape of charged granulate from thecylinder 2, when the cylinder 2 is moved laterally as controlled by feedpiston mechanism 103. Upon change of charge of the cylinders, thecylinder shown in line with the compaction apparatus is moved to theright, and a freshly charged cylinder is then placed beneath thecompaction system. The block .within the piston 2 which has just beencompacted, schematically shown at 106 (FIG. 2b) will thus be placed onthe table 114 of the right lifting piston 113, which is lowered..topermit removal of a piston drive 116, and further transport over atransport path not shown. In an actual construction, the direction ofmovement of piston 116 would be at right angles to the plane of thedrawing. The block 106 need not be a cube, and may have any suitabledesired shape, as given by the shape of the cylinder 2, and of thebottom and top pistons 3, 4. The horizontal cross section may be round,or polygonal, and the side surfaces need not be of the same length.

Bottom piston 3 and topcover piston 4 are secured, each, to a piston rod60 which may be termed a guide rod, since it also guides the respectivepiston in its movement. It is retained within a sleeve 62. Sleeve 62 isconnected at its free end 119 to piston drive 6, 7. The piston rod 121of the respective drive 6, 7 is connected to the guide rod 60 on the onehand, and further to a displacement-electrical signal transducer 14. Thetransducer 14 is fixed relative to the sleeve 62, for example by beingsecured to the end 119 thereof. The piston drive 6, 7, is operated by anelectro-hydraulic servo valve 12.

Sleeve 62 is journalled in a housing 124 which, in turn, is secured to afixed portion l0, 11, for example the frame, of the apparatus. Sleeve 62forms the spindle of a spindle drive 62, 64. The spindle nut 64 islikewise journalled in housing 124. The spindle lower nut 64 is drivenby means ofdrives 28; the upper spindle nut 64 is driven by worm drive67, as best seen in FIG. 3.

The cover 4 is formed with a suction device 130 which includes a box 131secured to housing 124 and an inner sheath 132, moveably retained withinthe box 131. The sheath 132 can be lowered to the upper end 134 of thecylinder 2 by means ofa sheathed drive 133. A connecting stub 135,secured to box l31.is con- 7 nectcd to a suction pump (not shown) fromwhich gases and vapors emitted by the granulate during the compactionprocess can be sucked off.

Pressure drives 137 connect with the bottom 3 and the top cover 4, whichare otherwise secured to the housing 124, or to the frame elements 10,11, of the apparatus. These pressure drives 137 are applied only againstthe bottom 3 and the cover 4, and are not secured to the bottom 3 andthe top cover'4; they are utilized for a final compression andcompaction of the block.

The hydraulic central station 45, as in the embodiment of FIG. 1,includes the necessary hydraulic pumps, pressure devices, controlsystems, and valves, as well as the necessary timing elements to providethe various hydraulic piston drives'with pressure fluid, in thepropersequence. The connecting lines to the various piston drives arenot described in detail and will be clear from the drawings; they havebeen given the same reference numerals as the connected piston-cylinderunit, with a prime mark.

Programming device (FIG. 2b) provides the necessary control or programfor feed, amplitude, frequency, and wave shape, as schematicallyindicated by the respective diagrams in the subdivisions of programsource 150. Of course, separate programming sources can be supplied forthe bottom piston 3, or the top piston 4, or a single program source canbe used, selectively, with suitable time-sharing controls.

The drives for the'bottom 3 and top cover 4 are controlled by thecontrol loops. The transducer 14 provides the actual value, compared incomparators 151 with the command value derived from programming source150. The error is applied over amplifier 152 to the electro-hydraulicservo valves 12. The spindle drive 62, 64 is likewise controlled byprogramming source 150 by means of an electric motor drive, not shown.

The connecting lines for the control signals are indicated by short dashlines in FIG. 2, the return lines for the servo valve 12 are indicatedby long'dash lines. Amplifier 152 is supplied from power supply 153.

Referring to FIG. 3, where the spindle drive, in the form of a wormgearing drive, is shown in detail: a worm 67 is journalled in housing124; worm 67 engages with a worm wheel 66. Spindle nut 64 has threads66' on the inside. Spindle nut 64 is engaged by means of its thread onthreads 62 of the sleeve 62. Spindle nut 64 is journalled in housing'l24by means of bearings 155, 156, 157. These bearings may for example, byroller bearings. I

Spindle nut 64 cooperates with a spindle nut portion 129. Portion 129 isguided with respect to the spindle nut 64 by means of overlapping edges159 (FIG. 3) of the spindle nut 63, to center the portion 129. A bearing160 rotatably holds portion 129 in housing 124. Portion 129 is alsothreaded on spingle'62, by means of internal threads"l 29"'.

A bolt l6'1'is 'carried bythe' end'face of spindle nut 64; Bolt 161"fits into a recess 162 of the portion 129.

with respect to a counter ring 166. The position of bolt 165 isthensecured in location by means of a counter nut 167. The counter ring166bears'against'thrust bearing 168, which, in turn, is supportedfrom'housing 124. The springs 163 bias the two elements 164,129 in orderto eliminate play in the worm drive'connection.

The two elements 64, 129 can'be relatively biased also by other means,for example hydraulically. In such an arrangement, bolt 161 is used toseal the space heneath cap 164 to form a pressure chamber, to whichpressure fluid can be introduced, for example by a suitable bore, orflexible tubing terminating beneath the cap 164. Utilizing hydraulicpressure, for example, has the advantage that the relative bias of theelements 64, 129 can be removed upon free movmem'ent of the spindle, sothat the speed of adjustment of the spindle can be increased. r

Other release means for the spindle can be utilized, for example'asolenoid can be used t'o bias bolt 165, rather than the fixed biasarrangementby means of the nut 167, within the sleeve 166. In such anarrangement, sleeve 166 would support a solenoid coil which, whenenergized, applies pressure of a solenoid plunger against cap 164, and,when deenergized, releases the pressure to permit rapid movement of thespindle drive. Shaft 67 is driven by a suitable motor, not shown in FIG.3, as explained in connection with shaft 28, FIG. 2.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 generally is similar to that of FIG. 2. Thebottom 3 and top cover 4 are guided by means of rods 60 in sleeves 62which, in turn, form the spindle of a positive spindle drive, that is,of a spindle drive without play. The spindle nut 64 is driven over aworm gear drive 66, 67 by a hydraulic motor 70. The feed piston drives6, 7, are located at the ends of the guide rod 60, secured to the sleeve62, and subjected to pressure over hydraulic amplifier valve 12. Apressure transducer 25 is secured to the side of the feed piston drives6, 7, which is remote from the cylinder 2.

The system of FIG. 4 utilizes two amplifier or servo valves l3, 13, oneeach associated with a hydraulic motor 70. Programming source has aprogramming part 21 for feed movement, and programming parts 22, 23, 24controlling amplitude, frequency, and wave shape of vibration for thegranulate. The pressure control part 21 then controls the hydraulicmotor 70 over valves 13, 13. The position-command comparison issimilarly carried out as before, that is incomperators 34, 35 as well asin additional comperators 34', 35. The connections associated with theprogramming part 21, and controlling only pressure versus time areillustrated in the same manner as the elements 22-24, and the elementsconnected thereto, however with a prime notation.

Various changes and modifications may be made within the scope of theinvention concept and any embodiment may utilize features described inconnection with any other embodiment, as appropriate.

We claim:

1. Compacting apparatus to manufacture blocks by compacting a mixtureofa granulate and a binder, comprising 6 a compacting cylinder (2) inwhich the granulate to be compacted is placed; bottom and top pistons(3, 4) closing said cylinder and movable to compact granulate within thecylinr i a piston support. means (62) connected, to an d supporting atleast one of the Pistons 4);

means 6, 7, 12) moving at least one piston (3, 4) in compaction,direction, comprising A a spindle drive, the support means (62) formingthe spindle element of thespindle drive and a spindle nuti,(64) formingthe nut element of the spindle drivep a housing (124) for the spindledrive, and means (10,

11) supporting. the housing, the spindle element (62) being journalledin the housing and the spindle nut elements (64, 129) being supported inthe k housing; v

and motor means in rotating engagement with one of the elements of thespindle drive (20);

wherein the piston support. means comprises a piston guide rod (60)connected to each of the pistons (3,

a sleeve (.62) surrounding each of the piston guide .rods (60), thesleeve forming said spindle element;

and wherein separate force means (12) are provided,

secured to the sleeve (62) and to the piston guide rod (60)respectively, to impart a force to the piston guide rod (60) and henceto the pistons (3, 4) with respect to the sleeve.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the element of the spindledrive being rotated is the spindle nut element (64);

and means rotating the said element comprises a worm drive (28, 67)engaging the spindle nut element (64) to impart rotation thereto.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the spindle nut element (64)is formed with an inner thread engaging the spindle element (62) andwith an outer gearing (66), said outer gearing being engaged by the worm(67) of the worm drive.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the motor means comprises ahydraulic motor (70).

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (62) is threadedat least in part on the outside and forming the spindle element for thespindle drive.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including motor control means (20, 21;connected to the motor means (70) and controlling the motor means toapply a steady force on the sleeve (62) in the direction to compactgranulate within the compaction cylinder (2).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the motor means comprises ahydraulic motor;

electrohydraulic valve means (13) are provided controlling flow ofhydraulic pressure fluid to the motor;

and pressure-sensing means (25) are provided to sense reaction pressureof said at least one piston, the pressure-sensing means being connectedto at least one of: said piston rod (60); said sleeve (62).

8. Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising pressure sensingmeans (25) connected through said at least one piston (3, 4) havingpressure applied thereto and providing a pressure signal representativeof actual pressure applied to the granulate, said signal controlling thepressure applied by said motor means.

9. Apparatusaccording to claim 8 wherein the motor means is a hydraulicmotor (70); a

an 'electrohydraulie valve (12 is provided and means "(45 supplyinghydraulic fluid under pressure to I said valve;

and v'v herein the pressure signal is connectedto said 'alve (.1 2 tofcori'trol; the application of hydraulic pr essuie by said valve. i g Ill). 'Apparatus' accofding to claim-1, yvherein the spindle drivecomprises play or backlash elimination mansklzs, 127,123). I I

ll.'Appara'tus "according to claim 10 wherein the spindle nut element'is'fo rmedin two part s'(64,i 129) and means (163) resiliently biassingsaid parts with respect to each other. t i' '12. Apparatus accordingto'c laim' 1 1, vvhereih the means biassing' said partsfwith respect toea'c li other comprisesspring m'eans"( 163) located to spread said partsto provide play-free engagement of o'nc'a'r said parts '(64) withthespind-le'(62). 1

l3. 'A pparatus according to claim'll', wherein the means biassingsaid-parts with respect-i o each other comprises a cavity formed in oneof said parts,'facing the other;

and projecting meansextending in said cavity and ,towards theotherpart'to provide-a cylinder-piston farrangement i and meansintroducingpressure-fluid in said cavity,

. a.de r s while theothepcylinder is subjected to said v\(;( ).r I 1paction-forces, 1 H

1 43 Apparatus according touclaim l wherein the apparatus,further;comprises a suction box housing .(131' f tting against theupper portion of the cylinden (,2), and.m eans removing gases and vaporsarisingduring compactionof the granulatein the cylinl 7.1App arat usaccording to claim I further comprising a hydraulic .ram 137) actingbetween the housing 120 (l lifil andatjleast one of saidpistons 2,3)tosubject the respective piston to compaction pressure separately fromthe force capable of being exerted by the motor means (7 0). a.

= 1 8. Apparatusaccordi ngto claim lwherein the separate forcemeanscomprises vibrating means-(20-24; 150) to inipart vibratoryrnovementto the piston rod (60 w ith respect to the sleeve (62). a

1. Compacting apparatus to manufacture blocks by compacting a mixture ofa granulate and a binder, comprising a compacting cylinder (2) in whichthe granulate to be compacted is placed; bottom and top pistons (3, 4)closing said cylinder and movable to compact granulate within thecylinder; a piston support means (62) connected to and supporting atleast one of the pistons (3, 4); means (6, 7, 12) moving at least onepiston (3, 4) in compaction direction, comprising a spindle drive, thesupport means (62) forming the spindle element of the spindle drive anda spindle nut (64) forming the nut element of the spindle drive; ahousing (124) for the spindle drive, and means (10, 11) supporting thehousing, the spindle element (62) being journalled in the housing andthe spindle nut elements (64, 129) being supported in the housing; andmotor means (70) in rotating engagement with one of the elements of thespindle drive (20); wherein the piston support means comprises a pistonguide rod (60) connected to each of the pistons (3, 4); a sleeve (62)surrounding each of the piston guide rods (60), the sleeve forming saidspindle element; and wherein separate force means (12) are provided,secured to the sleeve (62) and to the piston guide rod (60)respectively, to impart a force to the piston guide rod (60) and henceto the pistons (3, 4) with respect to the sleeve.
 2. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the element of the spindle drive being rotated isthe spindle nut element (64); and means rotating the said elementcomprises a worm drive (28, 67) engaging the spindle nut element (64) toimpart rotation thereto.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thespindle nut element (64) is formed with an inner thread engaging thespindle element (62) and with an outer gearing (66), said outer gearingbeing engaged by the worm (67) of the worm drive.
 4. Apparatus accordingto claim 1, wherein the motor means comprises a hydraulic motor (70). 5.Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sleeve (62) is threaded atleast in part on the outside and forming the spindle element for thespindle drive.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 5 including motor controlmeans (20, 21; 150) connected to the motor means (70) and controllingthe motor means to apply a steady force on the sleeve (62) in thedirection to compact granulate within the compaction cylinder (2). 7.Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the motor means comprises ahydraulic motor; electrohydraulic valve means (13) are providedcontrolling flow of hydraulic pressure fluid to the motor; andpressure-sensing means (25) are provided to sense reaction pressure ofsaid at least one piston, the pressure-sensing means being connected toat least one of: said piston rod (60); said sleeve (62).
 8. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 further comprising pressure sensing means (25)connected through said at least one piston (3, 4) having pressureapplied thereto and providing a pressure signal representative of actualpressure applied to the granulate, said signal controlling the pressureapplied by said motor means.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 8 whereinthe motor means is a hydraulic motor (70); an electrohydraulic valve(12) is provided and means (45) supplying hydraulic fluid under pressureto said valve; and wherein the pressure signal is connected to saidvalve (12) to control the application of hydraulic pressure by saidvalve.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spindle drivecomprises play, or backlash elimination means (126, 127, 128). 11.Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein the spindle nut element isformed in two parts (64, 129) and means (163) resiliently biassing saidparts with respect to each other.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 11,wherein the means biassing said parts with respect to each othercomprises spring means (163) located to spread said parts to provideplay-free engagement of one of said parts (64) with the spindle (62).13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the means biassing saidparts with respect to each other comprises a cavity formed in one ofsaid parts, facing the other; and projecting means extending in saidcavity and towards the other part to provide a cylinder-pistonarrangement; and means introducing pressure fluid in said cavity, toproject said projecting means and hence spread said parts to provide forplay-free engagement of one of said parts (64) with respect to thespindle.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder (2)is laterally moveable.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein twocylinders (2) are provided, coupled to each other, and both conjointlylaterally shiftable; and means are provided to charge one of saidcylinders while the other cylinder is subjected to said compactionforces.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatusfurther comprises a suction box housing (131) fitting against the upperportion of the cylinder (2), and means removing gases and vapors arisingduring compaction of the granulate in the cylinder (2).
 17. Apparatusaccording to claim 1, further comprising a hydraulic ram (137) actingbetween the housing (124) and at least one of said pistons (2, 3) tosubject the respective piston to compaction pressure separately from theforce capable of being exerted by the motor means (70).
 18. Apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein the separate force means comprisesvibrating means (20-24; 150) to impart vibratory movement to the pistonrod (60) with respect to the sleeve (62).